The Physiology of the Aloe vera Plant

The Aloe vera plant is a shrubby or arborescent, perennial, xerophytic succulent from the
Liliaceae family. The leaves of the Aloe vera are the most prominent features of the plant itself
as they grow in a spiral rosette around the stem, or directly from the base of the plant in the
absence of a stem. Each leaf is long, thick and dagger-shaped with small, pale spines protruding
from the sides.[Ryczkowsky, 2001] the spines along the edges of the leaves are a biotic
adaptation that serve to dissuade herbivores from eating the plant. The enlarged leaves
accommodate the aqueous tissue (tissue used to store large volumes of water) of the plant. There
are three layers in each leaf: an inner clear layer that comprises of 99% water and the remainder
in glucomannans, amino acids, sterols, lipids and vitamins, the middle layer of latex which is the
bitter sap and contains anthraquinones and glycosides, and the thick outer layer (rind) which both
protects the leaf and synthesizes proteins and carbohydrates. Carbohydrates synthesized in
excess of the amount needed for energy are transported by the phloem to cells in the leaf pulp. A
waxy covering over the leaves also prevents the escape of much-needed water via evaporation.
[Dermatol, 2008] The leaves are commonly green or grey-green with white spots. The flowers
are formed on in clusters on top of spikes and are tubular in shape and commonly yellow or
orange in colour. These flowers are protoandrous, and they serve to attract pollinators such as
hummingbirds (which justifies the shape of the flowers). The stem (if present) is short, wide and
is mostly obscured by the leaves. The root system of this plant is shallow and short, with the
individual stringy roots spreading out rather than rooting deeply.[Atherton, 1998] The roots are
known to give off offshoots or “pups” that can eventually grow into a new plant. The fibrous root
system is responsible for anchorage as well as the absorption of water and nutrients. Although
the aloe plant can bear fruits and seeds, the fruit being a capsule that opens vertically to reveal
many seeds, the seeds are not usually viable. The seeds are less than one inch long, dark brown
in colour and are winged.[Ryczkowsky, 2001]

References

1. Dermatol J. Aloe vera : A Short Review (2008)

2. Ryczkowsky A. Plant Parts of Aloe vera (2001)
3. Atherton P. Aloe vera revisited (1998)